2021 Awards Booklet

SENIORS OF DISTINCTION 2021 PROGRAM A MESSAGE FROM DEAN NAWAL AMMAR Dean’s Welcome Guest Speaker - Michael Hedayat Office of Alumni Engagement Presentation of Awards ongratulations on being the Seniors of most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.” Distinction class of 2021. You are a Undoubtedly the lessons you learned to earn this distinction Class like no other. You not only excelled will serve you as you begin your journey of advancing inC your academic careers but you outclassed during society. Meanwhile, don’t forget the small ways you can unprecedented circumstances. For two and half help make the world a better place like asking someone semesters you transitioned to working remotely how they are, and really meaning it; giving up your seat to and some of you attended classes in-person but someone on the bus or train; allowing someone else their with a reduced capacity. Despite the extraordinary time to shine; spending less time online; focusing on the circumstances you persevered and stood out completing positive and having fun. your degree. By now you know that success requires We are and will continue to be proud of your sacrifice. Pele, a Brazilian/Portuguese soccer player, perseverance, consistency, and hard work. What is the Seniors of Distinction Award? one of the greatest players of all time and labeled “the I wish you all the best in your life journey wherever it greatest, once said, “Success is no accident. It is hard takes you, and don’t forget to get in touch with us to let us Every year our programs have the tough task of choosing one student who stands out among their peers in the work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice, and know the great and small things you are doing. major—a student who not only demonstrates academic achievement but represents the best in the discipline. Receiving the designation of “Senior of Distinction” is indeed an honor but also a responsibility. We expect our Seniors of Distinctions to make an impact as they progress through their careers and serve their communities. We also urge our Seniors of Distinctions to stay connected with Rowan, with the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, and with their department or program so that we can celebrate their successes! DEPARTMENT CHAIRS/COORDINATORS MICHAEL HEDAYAT Michael J. Hedayat is an attorney practicing in New Jersey and New York. Michael received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Rowan University. During his undergraduate enrollment, Michael successfully completed the University of Virginia’s Semester at Sea program while traveling through ten countries in Africa, Chanelle Rose Katherine Turner DeMond Miller Zena Meadowsong Disaster Preparedness & Europe, and Asia. Africana Studies American Studies Emergency Management English He studied law at New York Law School; through the University of Oxford; through Tulane University Law School’s Rhodes Program in Greece and completed his Juris Doctor degree at the Florida State University College of Law. While at FSU Law, Michael was formally recognized for his distinguished Pro Bono Service with the Second Judicial Circuit Court of Florida. He also served as a Clinical Counselor at Florida State’s Business Law Clinic. After graduating Michael was honored to be the first judicial law clerk for the Honorable Avis Bishop- Thompson, J.S.C. at the Bergen County Vicinage in New Jersey. During his clerkship, Michael was certified by the New Jersey Administrative Offices of the Courts as a court mediator. Interestingly, Mr. Mike Weiss Joy Wiltenberg Hedayat was sworn into the Bar of the State of New Jersey by his sister, Kathrine E. Hedayat, who also Janet Lindman Sharon McCann Kelly Duke-Bryant Law and Justice History Human Services International Studies; Liberal Studies practices as an attorney in New Jersey. Area Studies Studies His practice is limited to serious personal injury matters and medical malpractice. He is admitted before the federal and state courts of New Jersey. Michael is admitted before the state courts of New York as well as the United States Court of Federal Claims in Washington, D.C. Marilyn Manley Ellen Miller Lawrence Markowitz Harriet Hartman Modern Languages & Philosophy; Political Science; Sociology; Linguistics; Spanish World Religions Economics Anthropology DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND AFRICANA STUDIES AMERICAN STUDIES ANTHROPOLOGY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ALEXIS THOMPSON ANTHONY CAMACHO DOMINIC FARGNOLI JUSTIN ELIOPOULOS lexis embodies the Africana Studies nthony is commended by multiple ominic has been chosen as the 2021 n May 2021, Justin Elipoulos will earn a program’s core values of educational professors for his enthusiasm in Senior of Distinction in Anthropology BA in Disaster Preparedness and excellence, civic engagement, and classroom discussion, his careful and because he has proven to be a student Emergency Management. Justin is socialA justice. Majoring in Psychology and minoring conscientiousA research and coursework, and his whoD fully integrates his Anthropological training eagerI to serve in his community. As such, for in Africana Studies, Lex developed an activism intellectual curiosity. In Zoom meetings, Anthony with the skills drawn from other disciplines and over two years, he has been an EMT, a volunteer framework that addresses the generational trauma kept up the energy, was always well prepared for life experiences to map for himself an exciting firefighter, as well as a member of Bergen County’s of Black communities and works to create healing class, and eager to help other students understand academic career path in the Archaeological Special Operations Group (EMS Division). When and liberation. They proudly identify as a Black queer the material. He was happy to share his techniques sciences. A native of Blackwood, N.J., Mr. COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic, he non-binary femme who centers their activism and with others, including navigating research tools. Fargnoli has been active in the classroom and the was one of the first responders involved with the advocacy around intersectionality and reproductive He works hard and shows improvement, both professional community. From his training in scuba response operations in his community as residents justice. As president of Generation Action, a student within courses and during his time at Rowan, diving in difficult conditions to his internship in field became ill. He used his training as a first responder organization that focuses on reproductive justice demonstrating that he takes feedback to heart survey and mapping to his hands-on analysis project and academic preparation to make a difference issues within various communities, Lex shared and is truly committed to learning. This hard work utilizing artifacts in the Museum of Anthropology in the lives of many. His dedication to service and their expertise during a roundtable discussion with has put Anthony on the Dean’s List every semester at Rowan University’s collections, Mr. Fargnoli commitment to continuous training, emergency Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman and since Fall 2018. He has achieved these academic has fashioned for himself a skill set and research exercises, and preparation, his responsibilities Congressman Donald Norcross as it relates to Title X pursuits while working full-time as a CVS manager, trajectory that we anticipate will carry him through increased with a promotion to Lieutenant of the and the Gag Rule. They’ve also participated in other developing positivity and “people skills” along with graduate degree work and onto an exciting career Corps in charge of training new EMTs and ordering conferences, such as the 2020 International Model customer service and team management abilities. as a maritime archaeologist. supplies during this pandemic. He is passionate African Union Conference, and an internship with Anthony’s goal is to teach elementary school and about emergency services and emergency Planned Parenthood. Lex plans to heighten their eventually enter administration. He credits the management; he intends to further his education activism by joining a nonprofit advocacy organization American Studies program with helping him grow in these fields with plans to enroll in Rowans that centers their activism values while also exploring “as a citizen of the country.” University’s Emergency and Threat Response other avenues that involve advocacy and grassroots Management Master of Science degree program organizing. and continue expanding his knowledge, training, and professional certifications in EMS, Firefighting, and specific Independent FEMA courses. ECONOMICS ENGLISH HISTORY HUMAN SERVICES EDWARD HUDAK MOLLY WOREK DENIS LONG CHRISTINA DIMATTEO dward is enrolled as an Economics and olly exemplifies the English enis is a History major at Rowan hristina is a senior at Rowan University Computing and Informatics double major, Department’s commitment to with minors in American Studies, majoring in Human Services with a while also pursuing two certificates of academic excellence and intellectual International Studies, and a Certificate of minor in Psychology. She is a member undergraduateE studies: Management Information curiosity.M Pursuing a combined advanced degree UndergraduateD Study in Public History. As a member ofC Tau Sigma. She currently works at Jefferson Systems and Blockchain Technologies and program, she graduates with a BA in English, a of the CHSS Reps, Phi Alpha Theta, and SGA Health- Washington Township as a per diem Cryptocurrency. In his time at Rowan, Edward has

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